THE BEAUTY OF GOD’S GRACE

GRACE - a most beautiful word, a Biblamosthreethreeical doctrine of immense importance! Titus 2:11-15 speaks these wonderful words about God’s grace:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach); Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”

THE APPEARANCE OF GOD’S GRACE - Titus 2:11
“the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men”
Ephesians 2:8-10 teaches us:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

It is NOT faith in this passage that is the “gift of God” - the word “that” is a masculine singular demonstrative pronoun and cannot modify “faith” which in Greek is a feminine noun. The word “that” is referring to the first phrase or clause which reads “having been saved by grace” - it is salvation by grace that is “not of yourselves” but rather is a “gift of God.” If we learn anything about the wonderful salvation that God has given us through the death and resurrection of our blessed Lord Yeshua, it is that God’s grace (which gives us what we do not deserve!) has made it possible!

THE ADMONITIONS OF GOD’S GRACE - Titus 2:12
“teaching us that” - the Greek word is “paideuo” and is used 13 times in the Greek New Testament. In Hebrews 12:6, 7, & 10 it is translated “chasten.” It refers to discipline and training. The grace of God does not lead us into a sinful lifestyle where the concept of freedom is to do whatever we want to do. Grace disciplines us, teaching us to avoid (”denying”) two things: “ungodliness” and “worldly lusts” - these two words represent the SECULARISM and the SENSUALITY of our culture. Secularism leaves God out of the picture, and evil sensuality violates God’s standards of holiness and righteousness.

Grace also teaches us to apply three qualities while we try to survive in this sinful, secular society of today. First, it involves the word “soberly” - the Greek word “sophronos” is only used in this verse; it is related to words that refer to sound mindedness, sound judgment, and self-discipline. Secondly, it involves the word “righteously” - the Greek “dikaios” - it simply and clearly means doing what is right. Thirdly, it involves being “godly” - the Greek word “eusebos” refers to honoring God and being concerned about worship.

THE ANTICIPATION OF GOD’S GRACE - Titus 2:13
“Looking for that blessed hope” - This hope of the believer will one day burst into a wonderful display of the majesty of our Lord - “the glorious appearing” - literally in the Greek text it is “and appearing of the glory” - Granville Sharp’s rule makes “hope” and “appearing” equal! Colossians 3:1-4 says that when Christ Who is our life will appear, then we will appear with Him “in glory.”

The “glory” of our Lord is described again by Granville Sharp’s rule (two nouns connecting by “and” with the definite article “the” in front of the first noun only, but not the second noun) when we read “the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” - Our Lord Yeshua is both “the great God” and “our Savior.”

THE AIM OF GOD’S GRACE - Titus 2:14
We are told that our Lord “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity.” The wonderful provision of His grace is SUFFICIENT for (Greek preposition - “huper” - “in the behalf of”) all men - cf. I Timothy 2:5-6; 4:10; I John 2:2; and it is SACRIFICIAL (”gave Himself”) and it is SAVING (”redeem us from all iniquity - Greek word is “lawlessness”)

The aim (purpose) of His grace is to “purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” This aim is centered in the will of God Himself, for the text says “purify (cleanse) unto Himself.” It is also characterized by good works which is again the argument of Ephesians 2:10.

THE AUTHORITY OF GOD’S GRACE - Titus 2:15
This authority involves the WORDS that we speak - “these things speak” and the WAY we speak them - “exhort and rebuke” and comes with a WARNING - “Let no man despise thee.” It is easy to be threatened or intimidated by others instead of being loyal to what God says in His Word!

II Corinthians 12:9-10 reminds us that God’s grace is SUFFICIENT!
To Him be all the glory and praise!

David Hocking - Copyright © 2005 - 2006 Hope For Today